Suture Line Care Checklist
______ Keep area covered for ________ hours with original dressing,
then ______________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________.
______ Apply ice packs to area for 24 hours.
______ Change dressing daily for _______ days.
______ Leave incision open to air.
______ Keep area dry. Cover with plastic wrap when showering for
______ days. Apply a new dry dressing if your dressing
becomes wet. Do not swim, soak in a bathtub or hot tub until
incisions are completely healed. It may take about 2 weeks to
heal.
______ Leave steri-strips (thin white tapes) on until they peel off by
themselves. They often fall off in 5-7 days.
______ Apply antibiotic ointment ____ times a day for ____ days.
______ Use Tylenol® for minor pain. Follow the directions on the bottle.
Discuss any other pain medicine with your doctor. Avoid aspirin
which increases bleeding unless your doctor tells you it is okay.
When to Call your Doctor
- Incision is red or warm to touch
- Pus-like drainage
- Temperature (by mouth) is greater than 100.4°F or 38°C, for two readings, 4 hours apart
- Excess swelling or bleeding or bruising
- Pain you cannot control with your pain pills
Phone Numbers
Call with questions and or problems.
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
______________________________ Clinic at (608) 26_________________.
After hours, weekends and holidays
Call the paging operator at (608) 262-0486. Ask for the doctor on call for
Dr. ___________________________________. Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area please call: Toll Free: 1-800-323-8942
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #5600
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 07/10/2009
Copyright © 07/10/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4268
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